Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk dribbled past for first time in 50 games

Arsenal star Nicolas Pepe became the first player to dribble past Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk in 50 games as the Gunners slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Anfield on Saturday.

Pepe became Arsenal's record signing when Unai Emery brought him to the club earlier this month for £72m, and the Ivorian marked his first Gunners start by ending Van Dijk's remarkable streak.

The last player to have dribbled past Van Dijk before Pepe was then-Newcastle midfielder Mikel Merino back in March 2018. Merino has since signed for Real Sociedad and made 34 appearances for his new club before seeing another player match his feat against Liverpool's number four.

Ultimately Pepe's bit of skill did not matter, as a rare Joel Matip goal and a brace from Mohamed Salah saw Arsenal 3-0 down at Anfield before Lucas Torreira bagged a consolation goal.

The Reds next travel to Burnley on Saturday, while Arsenal host neighbours Tottenham Hotspur in the first north London derby of the season on Sunday.